Black-winged Ground Dove
Metriopelia melanoptera
The Black-winged Ground Dove (Metriopelia melanoptera) is a uncommon doves and pigeon found in 7 countries, weighing about 100 g. The black-winged ground dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae.
About the Black-winged Ground Dove
The black-winged ground dove is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It lives in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru and is usually found in grassy areas near tree lines but roosts in Polylepis forest and Puya colonies. Throughout most of its range, it occurs at altitudes between 2,000 and 4,400 m but between 900 and 4,900 m in Chile. It moves to lower elevations in winter.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The black-winged ground dove is 21 to 23 cm (8.3 to 9.1 in) long. Males weigh 89.1 to 114 g (3.14 to 4.02 oz) and females 86 to 96.1 g (3.03 to 3.39 oz). The nominate adult male is grayish brown or earth brown above with a faint pink tinge. The throat is whitish and the underparts fawn pink with gray flanks. The closed wing shows a white edge and some pale gray. The eye color is highly variable as is the bare skin that surrounds it. The adult female's upperparts are a duller brown than the male's and the underparts less pink. Voice: The black-winged ground dove's song is a "series of relatively high-pitched, double notes 'rrree-up...rrree-up...rrreee-up...'." It also gives a short "piu" call.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Colombia.
When to see it
The Black-winged Ground Dove can be seen all year round, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black-winged Ground Dove?
- The black-winged ground dove is 21 to 23 cm (8.3 to 9.1 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black-winged Ground Dove?
- The Black-winged Ground Dove is a medium sized bird weighing about 100 g.
- Where can you see a Black-winged Ground Dove?
- The Black-winged Ground Dove occurs in 7 countries, including Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
- What birds look similar to a Black-winged Ground Dove?
- The Black-winged Ground Dove is most easily confused with the Bare-faced Ground Dove, the Golden-spotted Ground Dove and the Moreno's Ground Dove.
- Is the Black-winged Ground Dove endangered?
- The Black-winged Ground Dove is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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